Publishing

17th November 2008
Posted in Blog, Photography
Tagged in: ,

Ok, so I got some flickr mail today.   Apparently the guys at http://www.wefeelfine.org/ are creating a book, and want to use a photo of mine in the book.

http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=2056810170&size=large

In return, I will get a copy of the book, signed by the authors, and an invitation to the book release (which, I think they’re in California, so unless my picture is like… the cover shot, unlikely I will go).

I shot back with the following questions:
First, how will my photo be used?  Will it be in the book itself?  Color?  Black and white?  Will it be edited / where in the book are you thinking of using it / how do you plan to use it?

Will I be given credit in the book?

This is the second time I have been asked to publish a photo.  The first time is already underway, and it was for a photo I actually like less than this one, and I got paid (albeit only a little bit).  I don’t know how I feel about not getting paid – but at the same time, being published in a book is still pretty novel.

Will update when I have more information.

What would you do?

«
»

2 Comments

  1. Dred242 Says:

    Hey, look at you! Fancy NEW blog and all…..Wow! You kind of dropped out of the flickr-universe and popped up out here in the blogosphere, awesome!

    Anyway, as far as your photo being used in a book, I think you should, even if all of your terms aren’t met. I guess with the exception of altering the photo or not giving you credit. I allowed one of my flickr photos to be used in a nonprofit travel guide for the city of Chicago last year. And I granted permission for several of my photos to be used over at NowPublic.com (as long as I was ok with the story).

    I would love to own some bigger bragging-rights when it comes to my photos. I must say, I’m a bit jealous of the offer extended to you. Congratulations on your NEW blog. I’ll stop by from time to time.

    Dred242
    http://www.Dred242.com
    http://www.BokehImage.com

    November 17th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

  2. eric Says:

    well, for me it is simple: I would wait until they get back to you to find out if they will leave your artistic integrity intact. if they do so, then it’s time for point two:

    if they make money with the book, they should pay you.
    as simple as that.
    too many companies are trying to plunder flickr, because they know that there are a lot of amateurs there who make great pictures, and don’t know what they are worth when published. so they take advantage of the situation.

    through flickr I have had two requests for publication: one was for a californian university magazine. something that wasn’t for sale, for an article about electrical power distribution in Mexico. I had no problem giving them permission to use my pic, I just sent them my original file for them to colour correct. of course I would get credit for it.
    the second one was some google maps/travel guide kind of website that wanted to use my pic for a certain spot on the map. I would be credited, but get no money. so I looked at the site and saw that they were going to make a lot of money on advertising. so I just mailed them telling them that I thought that if they were making money because they were using my photo, that they should pay me. I might also have told them off for trying to take advantage of the publishing happy amateur on flickr.
    anyway, long story short: they didn’t even have the decency to reply to my email. (hmm, maybe I should check if they didn’t use my picture after all?).

    anyway, those are just my two cents, you should decide for yourself what you want to do.

    eric.

    November 18th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

Leave Your Comment